Why van Gisbergen honoured ‘friend’ Ambrose

Shane van Gisbergen revealed the stunning Marcos Ambrose tribute livery was his initiative, which is one of many throwback schemes that will race at Darlington.

In the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at the historic Darlington Raceway van Gisbergen’s Kaulig Racing #97 Camaro will be covered in the colours Marcos Ambrose steered to victory with Richard Petty Motorsports at Watkins Glen in 2012.

In recent years the round around the oddly egg-shaped oval has become something of a retro round with many teams and drivers donning iconic colours from bygone eras.

In a Trackhouse Racing video the Kiwi explained why he wanted to honour the fellow Supercars and NASCAR winner, with the pair developing a friendship since the Kaulig Racing driver has followed in the footsteps of he Aussie.

“It was my idea actually,” van Gisbergen said.

“I wanted it to be off the Watkins Glen race he had with Brad Keslowski and Kyle Busch.

“It was one like one of the best NASCAR road course finishes ever.

“I remember watching that race live and how awesome the finish was.

“Then the buzz on all the news sites in Australia and people talking about it.

“When this opportunity came up I went straight to him for advice and was one of the first guys I called.

“Straight away he said ‘you got to get here’ and the transition he has helped so much about what to expect, what it was going to feel like, the things I am going to struggle with and the tracks that would be difficult for me.

“We speak most Thursday nights my time which is Friday morning for him and we have a good conversation telling me what to feel and look for.

“It means a lot to replicate it and will be pretty special.

“I am pretty proud to call Marcos a friend now and when I told him about it, he was over the moon.”

This weekend Shane van Gisbergen will not be the only one going retro, with many NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series field racing with special throwback liveries at Darlington this weekend.

Below are the special retro paint schemes that will be seen racing around the “Lady in Black.”

NASCAR CUP SERIES

#1 Ross Chastain – Busch Light throwback

#3 Austin Dillon – 1998 Dale Earnhardt

#4 Josh Berry – 1998 Rodney Childers late model

#5 Kyle Larson – 1996 Terry Labonte

#6 Brad Kewlowski – Castrol TDM Toyota Supra GT

#7 Corey LaJoie – Corey LaJoie 2012 K&N Pro Series

#9 Chase Elliott – Dale Earnhardt Jr 2014 Daytona 500

#14 Chase Briscoe – 1976 Richard and Kevin Briscoe Sprintcar

#15 Kaz Grala – 1969 Parnelli Jones

#19 Martin Truex Jr – 2016 Martin Truex Jr Southern 500

#20 Christopher Bell – DeWalt 100 years

#21 Harrison Burton – 1953 Leonard Wood Special

#24 Will Byron – 2009 Jeff Gordon

#34 Michael McDowell – 1970s Long John Silvers

#38 Todd Gilliland – 2015 Todd Gilliland Late Model

#41 Ryan Preece – 2013 Ryan Preece NASCAR Whelen Modified

#42 John Hunter Nemechek – 1956 Lee Petty

#45 Tyler Reddick – 1982 Tim Richmond

#47 Ricky Stenhouse Jr – 2004 Mark Martin

#48 Alex Bowman – 2000s Jimmie Johnson

#71 Zane Smith –  Dave Marcis

#99 Daniel Suarez – 2004 Adrián Fernández IndyCar

NASCAR XFINITY SERIES

#00 Cole Custer – Johnny Sauter 2006

#7 Justin Allgaier – 1949 sponsor

#8 Sammy Smith – 1980 Mike Brooks Sprintcar

#9 Brandon Jones – 2018 Dale Earnhardt Jr

#15 Hailie Deegan – 1982 Dale Earnhardt

#18 Sheldon Creed – Ivan Steward off-road racer

#21 Austin Hill – Sponsor throwback

#26 John Hunter Nemecheck – Toyota throwback

#31 Parker Retzlaff – 1991 Harry Gant

#35 Chad Finchum – 2001 Kevin Harvick

#43 Ryan Ellis – Cole Trickle Days of Thunder

#44 Brennan Poole – 1997 Kyle Petty

#48 Parker Kligerman – Scott Borchetta

#97 Shane van Gisbergen – 2012 Marcos Ambrose

(All images credit: NASCAR)

Don’t forget the latest issue of Auto Action will be available via subscription here or at selected news outlets. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.

READ DIGITAL MAGAZINE HERE

Podcast: Oscar starred, but Lando won

The Miami F1 Grand Prix finally turned it on, and for the first time this year Max Verstappen was beaten on the track!

McLaren launched the attack, first with Oscar Piastri and then by Lando Norris who had a bit more luck with the Safety Cars. He pulled away for a maiden win